Category Archives: Spaldeen games

I have known Steve my whole…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: Charles Nieves
 

I have known Steve my whole entire life. He is my godfather and one of the few male role-models in my life. My father left me at an age where I don’t really remember him. Steve, Luis, Papa Angel, Theo Junior, Mel and Big Jay were the only guys who actually took the time out to spend some time with me, or talk to me, or was willing to be there for me when I needed help, and I Thank All of you guys! Steve was one of the guys who stood out, Steve always considered me and my brother as two of his sons. Steve was the kind of person who would put 110% into everything that was a part of his life. He was an athlete, a hard worker, a business man, and most of all he was a family man. Steve had a serious discussion with me and my brother once, it is a covenant that I will keep in my heart until it is my time to go. I would like to thank the people at Streetplay.com for this honorable tribute and I pray for those who have been stricken with this tragedy. God bless! I miss you Steve!

20 years after graduating…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: Maribel Cardez [e-mail]
 

20 years after graduating high school, a lot of us rekindled our friendships in anticipation of our 20 year high school reunion. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the reunion and did not get to see him. Steve and I corresponded via email where he shared his love and passion for stickball with those of us on his email list. I thank you for the email which has led me to this website where I now finally have to accept that it is true. Steve was a wonderful friend in high school. I pray for his family and may God bless them and give them the strength they need to get through this. God bless us all, may Steve’s memory live on forever.

I did not personally know…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: Carmen Calderon [e-mail]
 

I did not personally know Steve, but my brother did. He also plays stickball, his name is Carlos Calderon. I got to see them play when they came to Washington, DC to play at the Smithsonian 2001 Folk Festival. I was deeply saddened by his death as well as all the other Americans who died. As a New Yorker, born and raise and I am very sad at what happened to our beautiful city. GOD BLESS US ALL !!! QUE DIOS BENDIGA ESTA NACIóN AHORA Y SIEMPRE !!! My thoughts and prayers go out to Steve’s family as well as all those who perished in this horrible tragedy. Carmen Calderon

I never appreciated firefighters…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: Jennifer Lippold
 

I never appreciated firefighters and always overlooked their dedication. Steve Mercado is a true hero, wonderful father dedicated husband, and outstanding leader. Without him the stickball community will struggle but needs to carry on , I promise to keep Steve’s dream alive. I already miss you Steve and your comments to me at the BLVD and in the meetings. You were a true friend and in my heart had became family. To Mic, you have truly captured Steve at his best with your tribute, Thank You. J-LOUD

The Florida Panthers Stickball…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: Robert Medina Jr. [e-mail]
 

The Florida Panthers Stickball Team and all of our fellow brothers in the sport join Steve’s friends and family in mourning of this beautiful human being.We have all been touched by this tragedy but, those of us that had the privilege to know Steve even briefly, know what a great loss this is to the youngsters of his community and the “Stickball Family”…We have all lost a brother, a friend and a great human being…There aren’t enough words to express the great sorrow in our hearts… God Bless you Steve…’til we meet again my friend… Robert Medina Jr. Florida Panthers Stickball

There is no social function…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: QUEENSMARIO [e-mail]
 

There is no social function in life that was more profound or important than hangin out on da stoop! My stoop on 113th St. in Richmond Hill Queens was the epicenter of the universe from the 60’s to the 80’s, it was a family tradition. My mom’s theroy was she always knew where we were. She was also the self appointed guardian and disciplinarian to every kid on the block. Also my grandmother kept them all fed! Now I live in Florida as does my entire family that moved from Queens. So now we teach our kids about hangin out. Only here we don’t have stoops, so we break out our beach chairs and hang out in the driveway. We call it “Trash Nite”, the Floridians in the neighbor still can’t figure us out, but there kids love learning to play kick the can, I Declare War,skelly, and much more. I’m proud to say at 45 I can still whip some butt in skelly!! I’m also teaching the unenlightened down here about stickball, fast pitch against the wall of coarse.

A-h-h !! Growin up in Richmond…

Streetplay Discussion Archive Posted on by
Original author: QUEENSMARIO
 

A-h-h !! Growin up in Richmond Hill,Queens..where does one begin!!! Skelly in the streets, stoop baseball (my house was “the stoop”), slapball, wiffleball, and everyones favorite S&M game Hot Beans & Butter!! Roller hockey in the steets, the rivalries..113th St. -vs- The World!!! Naturally any playground as part of a school was called “the schoolyard” and you never used P.S. you just said you were going to 62 to play stickball. There was the progressive growth of where you hung out and played ball. For us it was 62, Hill (H.S.),108,Smokey Park, 88th St. Park (on Atlantic Ave.), and of coarse as was stated before …”Mecca”- Victory Field !!! The playing fields where we left patches of our dungarees and flesh from sliding on the asphalt! Inner city fast pitch Softball on asphalt, there was nothing like it in the world!! Fast and furious!! “..those memories come back to haunt me…” So much fun so little time!!!!